Reporting from Saigon
Coups d’état of November 1963: The United States of America and the Republic of South Vietnam
I curated this montage to underscore a disheartening realization: it requires a journey back to the 1960s to find broadcast journalists akin to Tucker Carlson in stature. While many of our readers might not readily recognize the other five esteemed and principled gentlemen who, in their era, embodied the noble mission of the Fourth Estate in safeguarding our democracy, their significance remains profound. Regrettably, the Fourth Estate has since fallen under the sway of the Military Industrial Intelligence Complex.
For those who do recognize these five figures, the image of Walter Cronkite removing his glasses likely remains etched in their memories. It's a snapshot frozen in time, capturing the moment when the "most trusted man in America" grappled with his emotions while announcing the tragic news of President John F. Kennedy's death in a Dallas hospital.
Charles Osgood reports…
The 'official narrative' unfurled swiftly, as they often do in such circumstances. It portrayed a lone gunman, Lee Harvey Oswald, firing three shots from a window in the Texas Schoolbook Depository overlooking the parade route. One bullet, later dubbed the "magic bullet,"1 purportedly struck both Kennedy and Texas Governor John Connally, who were riding together in the presidential limousine.
However, this 'official narrative' was, in essence, a fabrication: Oswald was merely a pawn. Evidence suggests that shots emanated from multiple directions, none of which originated from the book depository. The notion of the 'magic bullet theory' bordered on the absurd.
In reality, November 22, 1963, not only marked the tragic loss of our president but also signaled a grievous blow to our Republic. The assassination triggered a complex cover-up, concealing not only the identity of the true assailants but also a subversion of governmental authority. Since then, our nation has grappled with the specter of an illegitimate government, as the reservoir of truth was tainted irreversibly, perpetuating a culture of deceit and Empire of Lies.
The ‘whole truth’ remains sequestered, locked away in the National Archives. The remaining unreleased records lay dormant until October 2017, promising a long-awaited revelation. Yet, the prospect of disclosure was contingent upon the absence of "identifiable harm to the military defense, intelligence operations, law enforcement, or conduct of foreign relations." President Trump deferred and President Biden did as he was told.
Given the implication of the CIA in the assassination, as evidenced in the accompanying video (immediately below), it's reasonable to surmise that the release of these records would indeed jeopardize intelligence operations, perpetuating a cycle of secrecy that may never end.
The shadowy cabal responsible for Kennedy's demise, comprising elements of the Military Industrial Complex, intelligence agencies and high-ranking corporate and public and officials, including Vice President Lyndon Johnson, proceeded to assert control over cherished American institutions. Foremost among these was the Fourth Estate, our nation's bastion of a free press, which fell prey to manipulation and subversion.
Without a free and vibrant press, there can be no democracy; there is no Republic. Since the events of 1963, and potentially even earlier, there's a prevailing sense that the American populace has been manipulated and deceived. Today, a malevolent cabal, with its global reach, endeavors to dismantle the fabric of American and European societies, threatening the very essence of Western Civilization.
Only Tucker Carlson has taken up the sword. He emerges as a lone crusader, wielding his platform against this encroaching darkness.This (short version) video aired in December 2022. Coincidentally(?), Tucker was fired by Fox News four months after this report.2 Carlson, by then, had questioned far too many false narratives and pernicious lies.
In this piece, we delve not only into historical events but also into the workings of our internal truth mechanisms. Why do some readily detect obvious lies while others remain indifferent? How do we activate and engage our innate 'truth detector'? Moreover, do we ever consciously deactivate it? It seems we do, especially when confronted with truths too agonizing to bear. Those who remain 'blue-pilled', so to speak, exhibit a higher tolerance or desensitization to pain.
Lies wound, truth heals.
Let us first acknowledge that honest journalism suffered a severe blow in November 1963. The aftermath saw a deluge of disinformation and malinformation emanating from official sources in Washington, forming a relentless stream of falsehoods. Any dissenting theories, divergent from the sanctioned 'official narrative,' were met with disdain, derision and the damning label of "conspiracy theory."
Unlike Kennedy, the Fourth Estate managed to persist for a time following its initial blow in 1963. However, its demise was slow and agonizing, ultimately reducing it to a feeble, diminished version of its former self that we endure today.
The ideals of truth, justice and the American Way gradually succumbed to the influence of the New World Order Cabal, particularly around 2018,3 and were further eroded by policies implemented during Covid plandemic. Journalists, once the stalwart defenders of truth and accountability, inexplicably relinquished the essence and purpose of their esteemed profession and rendered America bereft of our foundational guardians of truth.
The term “Military Industrial Complex” was coined by President Eisenhower in his 1961 farewell address to the nation. Around 2018 the term morphed into the “Military Industrial Censorship Complex” as it became painfully obvious to anyone paying attention that the legacy media had been captured and could no longer be trusted. Since the 2020 plandemic, the media have been complicit in a psychological warfare operation against the American public.
Instead of being true guardians of truth, today's media landscape is largely dominated by gatekeepers. While the role of gatekeeper has always been inherent to journalism, it was once subservient to the sacred duty of providing accurate information and holding those in power accountable.
Today, the mission of gatekeepers has shifted towards orchestrating elaborate charades, perpetuating limited hangouts and fostering controlled opposition. Their aim is to undermine, discredit and distort rather than to inform truthfully. In this era of Fifth Generation Warfare (5GW), truth-seekers must remain vigilant, familiarizing themselves with the tactics summarized in the footnote from a recent piece in
.4A rational discussion about alternative media is long overdue. While the truth may still be out there, it's no longer readily accessible as it once was. Figures like Tucker Carlson now are central to what can be considered 'alternative media.' Similarly, platforms like X, formerly Twitter, operate as a macrocosm, albeit X resembles a virtual litter box. The true essence of alternative media, however, resides in the microcosm, where truth is safeguarded and held in protective custody by outlets such as Substack, Zero Hedge, Consortium News, et al.
Gatekeeping, a practice inherent in the free press, has been co-opted by those in power. Reporters have transformed into propagandists, serving as mouthpieces for "the official narrative." Consequently, we find ourselves teetering on the precipice of authoritarianism and tyranny. It is only through the unwavering commitment of truth-tellers like Tucker Carlson and the reliable cohort of alternative media that we can hope to salvage what remains of our Republic.
By all means, do your own research! Question everything, as Einstein advised.
Happily, more and more people are paying close attention and speaking out, including even some of our elected representatives, as noted in this recent piece from
.Plato’s Divided Line
In Plato's "Republic," the Divided Line serves as a conceptual framework for understanding different tiers of reality and knowledge. The higher segment, known as the intelligible realm, encompasses the world of forms (or eide in Greek). These forms are considered eternal, immutable and flawless. Conversely, the lower section signifies the visible world, or the sensible realm.
Plato contends that our ability to grasp truth hinges upon our capacity to ascend from the sensible to the intelligible realm through the faculties of reason and philosophical inquiry. This journey from subjective to objective truth necessitates critical thinking, introspection and a willingness to entertain diverse perspectives. It entails confronting the headache of cognitive dissonance.
Rational Spirituality expands upon Plato's notion of ascension by proposing that it involves not only critical thinking but also the cultivation of self-awareness. This process necessitates the transcendence of the ego, a journey that admits no shortcuts. As sentient beings, we are inherently intertwined with Plato's world of forms, suggesting a quantum entanglement with the fabric of reality itself.
We need only have ‘ears to hear’ our internal truth detectors, which underscores the importance of tapping into our innate wisdom. However, the personal ego often acts as a barrier to this process, resisting self-awareness at every turn. Ego abhors self-awareness.
As we challenge assumptions and delve into deeper understanding, fostering greater self-awareness, we move towards clarity and alignment with objective reality. Ascension, in this sense, entails bidding farewell to ego dominance and embracing a connection with the unseen spiritual realm.
Plato's belief in the soul's possession of innate knowledge from a previous existence resonates with the concept of quantum entanglement in scientific terms. He posited that learning is essentially a process of recollection, termed anamnesis. It's important to note that this notion of a 'previous existence' does not necessarily imply reincarnation or past life experiences, which are separate topics altogether.
Plato's dialogue "Meno," which introduces the Theory of Reminiscence, suggests that learning involves recollecting what the soul already knows. However, this endeavor requires a state of inner stillness, a condition often at odds with the ego's restless nature. Indeed, the ego vehemently opposes such endeavors. Just ask it.
Plato advocated for an education system that steered individuals towards the intelligible realm, emphasizing the study of disciplines like geometry, philosophy and abstract concepts to facilitate the ascent to higher knowledge. This aligns with Carl Jung's concept of individuation, which encapsulates a transformative journey towards self-realization, wholeness and integration — a process akin to Plato's intelligible realm.
Jung's individuation process entails the integration of conscious and unconscious aspects of the psyche, leading to the realization of one's true self. It's a lifelong endeavor marked by self-awareness, authenticity and inner balance. In essence, both Plato's and Jung's frameworks describe the same journey using different terminology.
Jung’s concept of individuation refers to a transformative process through which an individual achieves self-realization, wholeness and integration. It is comparable to Plato’s intelligible realm. Jung’s method, Plato’s method and other methods are all spiritual modalities, not intellectual, ego-oriented self-help programs. Spirituality, rational spirituality, is not about religious dogma (approved beliefs). It is about, well, sublimation of the ego and surrender to relationship with transcendent reality, however defined.
In the Parmenides dialogue, Plato engages in self-criticism, also an essential aspect of Jungian individuation, and explores the consequences of his own statements. Bertrand Russell called this dialogue “the greatest instance of philosophical self-criticism ever recorded.”
Jung's analogy likening our entry into the world to a blurry photographic negative captures the concept of individuation vividly. This process entails transforming that initial blur into the vibrant HD color of true, authentic Self.
Contrary to the notion of fate, Jung emphasized the existence of free will. He viewed the journey of developing the psyche's 'photographic negative' as destiny, a path that's not preordained but rather shaped by our choices and actions. Achieving one's full potential requires diligence and spiritual guidance. However, it's crucial to recognize that the ego often seeks to assume the role of spiritual director. Resisting its influence is essential in navigating the path of individuation.
Our Internal Truth Detector
As we noted, in Plato's "Meno," the theory of reminiscence posits that learning involves recollecting what the soul already knows. In a spiritual context, truth resonates with our higher or individuated self, rather than merely at a philosophical level.
We've all experienced moments of resonance, where our internal truth detector signals when something aligns with our inner knowing. Tucker Carlson highlighted how public skepticism arose regarding the "lone gunman narrative" following the murder of Jack Ruby, the man who killed Lee Harvey Oswald. To quell inquiry, the CIA coined the term "conspiracy theory."
Intuition also serves as a powerful tool in discerning truth. It behooves us to acknowledge this innate ability and nurture our intuition through practices like active imagination. By engaging in such practices, we can cultivate a deeper connection to our internal truth detector and enhance our ability to perceive truth intuitively.
Active imagination, a term coined by Carl Jung in 1935, serves as a method akin to dream analysis, allowing individuals to explore the contents of their unconscious mind consciously. This meditative technique enables one to observe a continuous flow of interior images, akin to the revelations found in dreams.
The unconscious mind contains a wealth of material and active imagination brings forth a diverse array of images, memories, emotions, symbols and even mythological figures. Among these manifestations are human and animal forms, as well as circular symbols such as mandalas, wheels, spirals and celestial bodies like the sun and moon. These symbols carry profound symbolic significance, imbued with layers of meaning that enrich the exploration of the psyche.
Notably, the sun and moon are often personified as male and female archetypes respectively, further enhancing the depth of symbolism within the practice of active imagination.
Jung advocated for an open-minded approach to the contents of the psyche, urging individuals to embrace whatever manifestations arise. Whether the mind seeks to give form to the formless, illustrate the tension between opposites or connect us with our true Self — the highest aspect of our psyche — the entanglement with specific forms should not be disregarded. Instead, Jung advised active engagement with these inner figures and archetypes, rather than passive observation.
This process of engagement initiates an inner drama, akin to a dream unfolding on an 'inner stage.' It's this dynamic quality that lends depth and richness to practices like tarot. Despite being frequently misunderstood and misrepresented as a mere fortune-telling gimmick, tarot remains popular precisely because it is designed to tap into this innate human desire to engage with the inner drama of the psyche.
As co-creator of Chrysalis Tarot, artist Holly Sierra and myself sought to craft a tool for facilitating a "dream unfolding on an inner stage." True to its namesake, the chrysalis symbolizes physical transformation, yet in the context of Chrysalis Tarot and similar engagements with the psyche, it signifies spiritual metamorphosis.5
In the Chrysalis Tarot deck, tarot characters, archetypes, and intricate geometric designs each carry symbolic significance. These elements combine to help the user compose a narrative that reflects and resonates with their conscious state of affairs. This process nudges Chrysalis users to embark on a ‘Hero’s Journey’ of self-discovery and transformation, tapping the depths of the psyche to uncover hidden truths and insights.
Reporting from Saigon
Yep, that’s yours truly, the “Walter Cronkite of Vietnam.” Well, maybe for only a few months and in my own ‘inner drama.’ At the time, 1968, I was War News Editor of the American Forces Vietnam Network (AFVN), headquartered in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). It was a time fraught with significance, marked by Walter Cronkite's seminal broadcast on February 27, 1968.
In that telecast, he presciently reported that the Vietnam war was unwinnable and would end in a stalemate, “…but it is increasingly clear to this reporter that the only rational way out then will be to negotiate not as victims but as an honorable people who lived up to their pledge to defend democracy and did the best they could.” (video)
Imagine hearing that kind of honesty (heresy) today regarding Ukraine or Israel!
As I look back on my own Vietnam experience of reporting not only the war news but also U.S. and international stories to troops and civilian viewers of Channel 11, Saigon, a particularly indelible memory flits into mind’s eye.
Near the Mekong River’s famous floating restaurant, one sunny afternoon a young Vietnamese boy, maybe 10 or 12, ran up and excitingly began pulling on my Army fatigues. He apparently had picked up a little English from TV and wanted to show it off.
Our broadcast from Saigon on Channel 11 held significant sway among both troops and civilian viewers, extending its reach to quonset huts and homes as far as Cambodia. And so, with an infectious ear-to-ear smile adorning his face, the young boy snapped to attention, rendered a crisp salute and proudly proclaimed, "Combat, starring Vic Morrow and Rick Jason."
Combat was one of our most popular TV programs, perhaps second only to Laugh In. I wondered what the Vietnamese boy thought about us American soldiers — fighting every week on TV, no less. Were we warmongers? Did we want “to see exotic Vietnam, the crown jewel of Southeast Asia.” Did we want “to meet interesting and stimulating people of an ancient culture, and kill them?” (Private Joker, Full Metal Jacket, 1987)
I’ll abandon that thought to the airwaves and leave it hang eternally amid the smell of the ancient Mekong, of nuoc mam and of the odious odors of war.
I came home in July 1969, crossing the Pacific just as Apollo 11 was landing on the moon. Was the moon landing also a lie? Who can say with any certainty? I remained employed in radio and television for 30-years, in management rather than journalism. However, as Walter Cronkite noted in the video below, “old anchormen, you see, don't fade away, they just keep coming back for more.”
I came home. Over 58,000 of my comrades in arms did not. I salute them and silently remember the over 3-million Vietnamese who perished in a war that began with a lie. May the beauty of truth and peace be upon them.
The Cabal murdered President John Fitzgerald Kennedy for a number of reasons. One, he planned to end American involvement in Vietnam. Interestingly, on November 2, 1963, only weeks before being killed, the CIA had orchestrated another coup in Vietnam.6 We Americans have orchestrated a lot of profitable coups. The most recent took place in the Ukraine (2014).
Kennedy valued peace, not war. “What kind of peace do we seek,” he asked.
Not a Pax Americana enforced on the world by American weapons of war. Not the peace of the grave or the security of the slave. I am talking about genuine peace, the kind of peace that makes life on Earth worth living, the kind that enables men and nations to grow and to hope and to build a better life for their children–not merely peace for Americans but peace for all men and women–not merely peace in our time but peace for all time.
JFK, American University, June 1963
So, too, did his brother, Attorney General Robert Kennedy, value peace. Had RFK lived and been elected in 1968, he also would have pulled the U.S. out of Vietnam. But he was shot and killed immediately after winning the California Democratic Primary on June 5, 1968, thereby becoming the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination. The media told us RFK was shot by Sirhan Sirhan. That too was a lie, as his son, now a presidential candidate, has revealed. (VladTV Video) Guess what 3-letter agency Kennedy says was involved?
The truth is out there. It’s not that hard to find, but you do have to seek it. Thank you for reading Rational Spirituality.
And that’s the way it is, Monday May 6th, 2024.
In a strange disquieting way, this piece, at least metaphysically, sets a record straight. I felt a compelling sense of duty being fulfilled as I wrote it, as if finally settling a long-neglected karmic debt. At the typewriter, one never knows what the fingers have in mind.
There were two coups that November 1963 and the former influenced the latter. President Kennedy was personally disgusted with the CIA. After the disastrous 1961 ‘Bay of Pigs’ invasion of Cuba, Kennedy famously expressed his desire to “splinter the CIA into a thousand pieces and scatter it into the winds.”
He promptly fired CIA Director Allen Dulles, who Lyndon Johnson then later appointed to the kangaroo Warren Commission where Dulles (and others) could manipulate and advocate for its predetermined conclusion regarding Kennedy’s murder.
The “rest of the story” is reported below within footnote #5.
A single bullet, referred to as “Warren Commission Exhibit 399,” caused all the wounds to both President Kennedy and Texas Governor John Connally.
Tucker Carlson questions whether the CIA had a role in JFK's death (article including long video)
In July 2018, Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin held a joint summit in Helsinki, Finland. During the press conference that followed, Putin conceded that he and Trump desired normalization of U.S.-Russian relations. However, this seemingly straightforward exchange took on greater significance due to the charged political climate surrounding alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Intelligence agencies closely monitored the press conference. Their subsequent assessment of Putin’s candid admission that he desired normalized relations with the U.S. led to increased pressure on Western media. The revised ‘Putin Bad’ narrative — often encapsulated in the ‘Russia-Russia-Russia’ narrative — suggested that Trump was somehow beholden to Russia or that he was not prioritizing American interests. This narrative gained new life as news outlets dissected every word spoken during the summit and shoehorned their analyses to fit the approved narrative.
The controversy surrounding the Helsinki press conference fueled debates about foreign policy, national security and the relationship between the two leaders. Ultimately, the ‘Russia-Russia-Russia’ refrain became emblematic of the ongoing investigation into Russian interference and continued to reverberate throughout Trump’s presidency. It was clear then, and is even more clear now, that the intelligence agencies did not desire normalized relations with Russia. Quite the contrary.
The intelligence agencies, assisted by the U.S. press, basically sabotaged the administration of a duly elected American president. Putin’s Russia was (and is) the Military Industrial Intelligence Complex boogeyman, as the 2014 Maidan coup and U.S. proxy war in the Ukraine against Russia corroborates. (more)
I’m the co-creator along with artist Holly Sierra of Chrysalis Tarot, a best-selling deck that won tarot deck of the year honors in 2014 and a number of other awards. Chrysalis (suggesting personal transformation) differs significantly from traditional tarot in that it is entirely based upon Jungian psychology. You can view some of Holly’s images on our Amazon page here.
Ngo Dinh Diem served as the autocratic ruler of South Vietnam, perceived by the U.S. as a bulwark against Communism. However, his leadership was far from ideal, marked by suspicion towards outsiders and frequent frustration among American policymakers. Diem met his demise in a successful coup d’état led by General Dương Văn “Big” Minh, with support from the CIA. Some speculate that President Kennedy was caught off guard by the swiftness of Diem's ousting.
On October 11, 1963, President Kennedy issued National Security Action Memorandum 263 (NSAM 263), outlining his decision to withdraw all U.S. military forces from Vietnam by the end of 1965, to be completed after the 1964 election. This policy signaled an unconditional withdrawal, independent of achieving victory. This stance remained in effect at the time of Kennedy's assassination, though Lyndon Johnson had different plans.
Allen Dulles, former CIA Director during the Bay of Pigs Invasion in 1961, faced dismissal by President Kennedy following the operation's failure. Despite this, Dulles remained a prominent figure and was later appointed by President Johnson to the Warren Commission.
The Warren Commission, established to investigate Kennedy's assassination, included Dulles among its members. Johnson's decision to appoint Dulles was reportedly influenced by Robert F. Kennedy, although evidence suggests otherwise. Dulles' role in the Commission was significant, as he worked to shape its conclusions towards a lone-gunman theory, a notion refuted by subsequent investigations. (source)
Dulles was appointed to the Warren Commission for obvious reasons. Oliver Stone, who delved into the JFK assassination in his documentary JFK Revisited: Through the Looking Glass asserts that Dulles, who was no friend of Kennedy, worked tirelessly to ensure that the commission would find that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in the assassination.
Robert Kennedy Jr. asserts that Dulles insinuated himself onto the commission despite having been fired by President Kennedy. RFK Jr.’s statements suggest that Dulles played a significant role in shaping the commission’s lone-gunman conclusions and avoid implication of a conspiracy. (If more than one person is involved in any assassination plot, it is, by definition, a conspiracy.) Kennedy has claimed that Dulles essentially ran the Warren Commission and kept evidence from the other commissioners. (source)
The United States House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) was established in 1976 to investigate the assassinations of both John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. The HSCA completed its investigation in 1978 and issued its final report the following year. The HSCA concluded that Kennedy was probably assassinated as a result of a conspiracy. This finding diverges from the Warren Commission’s earlier conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. (source)
Marina Oswald, Lee Harvey Oswald’s wife, in interviews and testimonies, suggested that her husband had associations with intelligence agencies. She mentioned that Lee Harvey Oswald had connections to both the CIA and the FBI. Her assertions have never been verified. There’s no need, really.
Thank you for the restacks!